Objective: To observe the antiviral activities of oxymatrine(OM) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro and initially explore the mechanism of it. Method: HepG2.2.15 cells(at 90% confluencerespectively) were treated with different concentrations(125

250

500

1 000

2 000 mg·L-1 )of OM for 9 d.Cytotoxicity was observed with MTT colorimetric method. HBeAg and HBsAg in the culture supernatant were determined by ELISA assay. Fluorescence quantity PCR assay was used to assay the extracellular HBV DNA

intracellular HBV DNA and covalently closed circular DNA(cccDNA). Result: After treatment with 2 000 mg·L-1 OM for 9 d the level of the extracellular HBV DNA

intracellular HBV DNA and (cccDNA)was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner

the inhibitory rates were 54.25%

64.56%

52.12% respectively. It can also inhibit the level of HBeAg and HBsAg in culture supernatant and the inhibitory effect showed a dose-and time-dependent manner. In the same condition

the inhibitory effect on HBsAg is stronger than that of HBeAg. When OM concentration was 2 000 mg·L-1

the inhibitory rates on HBsAg and HBeAg were 51.59%

17.88%. Conclusion: OM can inhibit HBV DNA replication in HepG2.2.15 cells through inhibiting the reproduction of the viral nucleic acid and gene expression.